Dexamethasone
For the swelling and inflammation that's taken over your week. A measured steroid dose that calms the whole response.
One ingredient, 4 mg of dexamethasone, given as a quick injection in the arm or hip. Book it for a bad allergic flare, a sinus or chest infection that has your airways swollen, a joint or back flare that pills aren't touching, or a migraine that keeps coming back. A nurse reviews your history before every dose, and it isn't for everyone.
The steroid that calms the whole inflammatory response, straight into the muscle.
Dexamethasone is a prescription corticosteroid, a stronger, longer-acting cousin of the body's own cortisol. It turns down inflammation across the board: swelling, redness, the tight airways of an allergic or infectious flare, and the pain that comes with them.
Given into the muscle it reaches your blood directly and holds for two to three days, which is why urgent care uses a single dose rather than a week of pills.
One ingredient, one measured dose, listed here. Because it's a steroid, our nurse checks your history before every dose, including blood sugar, infections and other steroids.
What it does for you.
One ingredient, then how a booster gets it into you. Both are the whole story.
Dexamethasone works the way your own cortisol does, but many times stronger and for longer: it tells immune cells to stop releasing the chemicals that cause swelling, redness, heat and pain. That's why doctors use it for severe allergic reactions, croup and asthma flares, sinus and ear infections with swelling, joint and back flares, and migraines that keep returning. A single 4 mg dose into the muscle builds over a few hours and holds for two to three days. Because it's a steroid, it can raise blood sugar and lower your guard against infection for a few days, so our nurse reviews your history before every dose and it isn't for everyone.
A booster is a small injection into the muscle of your upper arm or hip. Swallowed, a nutrient has to get through your digestive system first, and only part of it reaches your blood. Given this way it skips the gut, so more of it reaches you. A nurse checks in with you, gives the injection, and you're on your way. Most people say it's easier than a flu vaccine. Add it to a drip and it happens during the same visit.
Who books Dexamethasone.
Hives, swelling and the reaction that Benadryl alone isn't holding.
The infection that has your sinuses or airways swollen shut while the antibiotics catch up.
The arthritis or back flare that has you walking sideways and pills aren't touching.
The migraine that eases and then comes back the next day. Dexamethasone is used to break that cycle.
Drips that go well with Dexamethasone.
Dexamethasone on its own is five minutes of relief. If you're also sick and run down, in a migraine, or dried out, these three are the drips people pair it with.
Book it alone and you're in and out in about five minutes. Or add it to any drip and it happens during the same visit. Members save 25%, and the Booster membership covers four a month.
Our mobile concierge brings any drip to your home, office or hotel anywhere in the Birmingham area for a flat $50 travel fee, and the nurse can give Dexamethasone during the same visit.
New here? It starts with a free 10 minute intro.
A quick visit with our team to review your health history. It is free, and it stays valid for three years.
Pick Dexamethasone, or tell us how you feel and a nurse will point you to the right one, or to a drip if that's the better fit.
A nurse reviews your history and gives the injection in your upper arm or hip. It builds over a few hours and holds for two to three days.
Questions about the Dexamethasone booster.
How long does a Dexamethasone booster take?
About five minutes in the lounge, including the nurse's review. It builds over a few hours and holds for two to three days.
Can I walk in for a Dexamethasone booster?
Yes, once you have been in before. New clients start with a free 10 minute intro so a nurse can review your health history. Your intro stays on file for three years, and after that you can walk in any time we're open.
How is Dexamethasone different from Toradol?
What they calm. Toradol is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever that works in minutes and holds for about six hours, for pain. Dexamethasone is a steroid that turns down the whole inflammatory response, builds over hours and holds for days, for swelling, allergic flares and infections with inflammation. For a bad migraine or joint flare, nurses sometimes pair them.
Who shouldn't get Dexamethasone?
People with uncontrolled diabetes, an active infection that hasn't been treated, a recent vaccine, or who are already on steroids, and anyone pregnant without their OB's clearance. Our nurse asks before every dose, and if it isn't right for you we'll say so.
Will it keep me up or raise my blood sugar?
It can do both for a day or two. If you track your blood sugar, check it more often for two days. Book it earlier in the day if you're sensitive to feeling wired.
Can I add it to a drip?
Yes. Boosters are given during any drip visit, and dexamethasone is the add people pair with Immunity Plus or Migraine Relief.
Can my doctor see exactly what is in it?
Yes. Every ingredient and dose is listed on this page, so you can show it to your own doctor. You, or your doctor, can ask our nurse or doctor anything, any time. Just call us at (205) 210-9797.